London: STEPHEN SWIFT & CO., LTD., 10 John St., Adelphi
_Demy 8vo. 14 Pencil Portraits. 15s. net_
This book reveals the series of causes, both political and social, which have brought Portugal to its present condition and affected the character of its people.
The entire history of Monarchical Portugal is reviewed in masterly fashion, and the work is based on a thorough knowledge and critical appreciation of all available sources. The author writes, not as an outsider, but as one who knows his country from within, and the book therefore constitutes a serious attempt to tell the English-speaking world the truth about Portugal.
The author knows that he treads "forbidden ground," but even where he apportions the severest blame he does so in the conviction that adverse criticism of any country, "however unpleasant it may be to all Chadbands and Stigginses," cannot be considered abusive if it be made with the intention of stirring up the forces of reform and of remedying the defects which it discloses.
London: STEPHEN SWIFT & CO., LTD., 10 John St., Adelphi
The humour of this remarkable satire is irresistible. The truth concerning Sir Edward is gradually revealed by fantastic touches and sly suggestions, and with a manner so correct as almost to put the reader off his guard.
Although the subject of this Æsopian biography is drawn in such a way as to suggest now one and now another familiar figure in modern life, yet these fleeting and shadowy resemblances are in reality an indication of the archetypal nature of Sir Edward; he is not a caricature but a symbol; not any particular individual but a composite type--a materialisation into one grotesque shape of the drifting ideas and false ideals of a muddled civilisation.
The narrative gathers into its net both big and little fishes--a heavy haul. But people who regard Western civilisation as the final word in social wisdom should not read this book: or perhaps they should. Anyway, everyone else should.
London: STEPHEN SWIFT & CO., LTD., 10 John St., Adelphi
These profoundly sagacious studies and finely drawn portraits are of the greatest interest, not only in virtue of the author's intimate knowledge of Paris and Parisian life (dating from 1869), but also because Mr Grierson is one of the few living Englishmen who thoroughly understand and appreciate the French Genius. The book will be an enduring delight to all lovers of fine literature.